Thanks again everyone for your messages, it was and is really great to have all your support, even though I couldn't really respond much, I did want to!
I had to be at the hospital by 7am, my friend arrived early to take me, so being only a ten minute drive I was there at 6.30. The entrance to the surgical unit was still locked but a guard let us in and then it was all go, not much waiting around, that I remember. Immediately I was directed to change into a gown etc, my things went in a locker and I waited in an office where very shortly I saw a nurse, the surgeon and anaesthetist, who bless him, asked if I wanted anything before surgery. Being nervous and apprehensive, with more waiting to do I accepted. After laying on a bed, the next thing I knew I was being woken up to get my spinal, no more waiting! I remember sitting up bent over for the spinal, a lovey nurse in front to support me, who gently stroked my head while it was being done, I didn't feel a thing. Next thing I'm waking up in recovery, not sure it's over I asked, and when told burst into tears in relief that it was finally done. I was shaking, so was given some pethidine, which got rid of that. Then very quickly up to the ward. I was in a room with four others done by the same surgeon that day, we we wheeled in one after the other throughout the day. It turns out the lady before me, who is my age, lives up the road from me! Small small world.
Oh the ice packs! After the first two I was given, one being like a rectangular hard lump of ice, the next a bag of ice which worked better but leaked onto the bed (this didn't bother me at all, but the nurse that day was none too happy about having to change the bed), I got my mum to bring two of mine into the hospital and rotated these continuously throughout my stay. I've had one against the incision pretty much continuously.
finn1913 the frozen peas would have been gratefully received.
Most of the time was ghastly, either such awful low blood pressure, or nausea and vomiting.
Vida, yes itchy and pukey was a perfect name! I have come home with two types of anti nausea meds (which thankfully I haven't needed), paracetamol, tramadol and a blood thinner, which I need to take for 30 days.
Standing up for the first time was a brief affair. I didn't feel too good so was put back to bed, but later in the day managed to make it to the door of the room. Quite painful to walk at first, leaning heavily on the crutches, but now, I can even put a bit of weight on it.
And the itching! Glad to know this was not just me. Once the morphine was stopped so did the itching. Oh
rac, you had a terrible time!
The nutter was a poor intellectually handicapped man whose only method of communication was to yell. He must have been feeling quite unwell, but towards the end of my stay he had a lot more quiet periods.
I'm really worn out, but able to eat small meals. (And the plumbing is working ok, hope it stays that way).
Poppet, good luck with the study.
nerdgrrl, how was the hike? I am at my mums, the best decision to have made. I can do next to nothing for myself. Glad to hear your boss enjoyed herself, but those sand flies and mosquitos can be pretty relentless, especially in the bush.
Vicki, I like the art materials vision. An arty friend of mine called and asked what kind of hip I had got, when I said ceramic on ceramic, she chuckled and said she could just see a lovely blue and white patterned one! I love this image. I don't have a partner at the moment so I'm very lucky that my mum is very maternal. Good idea of yours to do what was best for you, I have been learning that myself in recent years and am enjoying life that much more for it.
Kim22 I'm amazed at the walking, I'm doing really well. The only pain is from the incision and that has improved remarkably, I just have to be careful not to move too quickly.
United States
!! Great news! Let us know how you settle in at "home" (as I recall, you're going to your mom's for a bit?). I take it the nausea continues to calm a bit? My veins are hard to find, too - they roll, apparently. I was lucky they only had to stick me once for the IV. I hope you get lots of rest and are feeling even better soon. 
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